Generative Grammar

Originated with Noam Chomsky, this theory challenged the view of language as a system of habits learned via stimuli and reward.

Key Tenets

• Innate Capacity: Humans possess a genetically endowed initial state for language, often called Universal Grammar (UG).
• Acquisition vs. Learning: Language is acquired naturally during a physiological stage, rather than "learned" like a skill.
• Universality: The innate endowment explains why language is universal across all human populations despite surface differences.